Stalled Jesus statue project dismantled in North Sumatra because of construction flaws

Source

Jakarta Post - March 20, 2020

Apriadi Gunawan, Medan – The frame of a 45-meter-tall statue of Jesus in North Tapanuli regency, North Sumatra, was dismantled Thursday following a court order that declared that the stalled project had constructions faults.

The North Tapanuli Prosecutor's Office oversaw the dismantling of the project in Perbukitan Pea Tolong, Siatas district, on Thursday following a ruling by the Medan District Court on Aug. 8, 2017. The court ordered that the statue be demolished because construction flaws had be detected.

North Tapanuli Police Chief Adj. Sr. Cmr. Horas Marasi Silaen explained that an investigation into the construction of the statue had uncovered a number of structural flaws, such as a cracked altar floor, welding and pipework that was not to standard and low quality concrete.

Further investigation also revealed that the steel frame tilted 4 centimetre's forward, which would cause the statue to be unbalanced when completed, Horas added.

North Tapanuli regent Nikson Nababan apologized to residents for the demolition and asked them to understand that it was in accordance with the court's ruling on the safety of the construction.

The regency administration began the project in 2013 during the term of previous regent Torang Lumbantobing. However, the project was stalled because of legal issues.

The deputy head of economic affairs in the administration, Osmas Silalahi, said the administration decided to dismantle the statue's frame in late December over fears it could harm residents visiting the area. The administration is considering whether to build a replacement statue of Jesus in another location. (vny)

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